<
>
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Get ESPN+

Las Vegas Raiders 53-man roster projection sees Davante Adams-Derek Carr reunion, introduction of Patriot Way

Acquiring All-Pro receiver Davante Adams not only gives the Raiders an elite target, but also reunites Adams with old Fresno State teammate Derek Carr. John Locher/AP

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders open training camp next month at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, then open the 2021 NFL regular season at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 11 at SoFi Stadium.

The Raiders finished the 2021 season 10-7 and played in the postseason for just the second time since 2002 and the first time since 2016. It was a season of turmoil and upheaval, from coach Jon Gruden's resignation amid his email scandal to receiver Henry Ruggs III being released after a deadly car crash that claimed the life of a woman and her dog to cornerback Damon Arnette making death threats on social media and being released to an unlikely playoff run that ended in the final seconds at the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.

None of it, though, was enough to save the jobs of general manager Mike Mayock or interim coach Rich Bisaccia, as owner Mark Davis went the Patriot Way in bringing in GM Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels.

Davis said it was not a rebuild; rather, a next step. The roster the new regime puts together will define it, though.


QUARTERBACK (2): Derek Carr, Jarrett Stidham

Wait, only two QBs? Yeah, for now. McDaniels' old employer in New England was not shy about sticking with only two quarterbacks, so this will free up another spot down the roster. Again, for now. Carr is the unquestioned starter and Stidham knows the offense. Keep an eye, though, on Colin Kaepernick, who worked out for Las Vegas in late June, even though the Raiders also have Nick Mullens and Chase Garbers on the roster after OTAs and minicamp.